Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-06-22
jackson R1hes.''

jackson Rifles"
During the evening of the late memorial
day, two elderly gentlemen in conversation
with a young man., who possesses hne luno
of energy and good sense, impressed MIN win
the Importance OF having in this city Whlte
Infantry company. He received the sugges'ion
properly, and. rejecting over the matter' oe-
termined in a day or two that he wouio GULL
mence the movement. A week dld ho' ei"pao
before he had the requisite number OF sigheie'
young men who represent those OF thelr age
in the various business pursuits OF Staunto u
as well as the intelligence, moral ana social
relations that exercise their proper influences
for the good of the community.
The signers to the call were summoned W
meet at the Office of the City Treasurer on Inc
night of the Goth Instant, and they Responded
in quick time and in full numbers. Inc toll
was called, and after explanation OF Inc pre-
liminary work Of organizing the company, INC
election Of commissioned officers ana otner
necessary progress at that time was proceeueu
with. Mr. William P. Tams was made Cap
tain Mr.. William G. Kinney, First Lleuten-
ant and Mr.. William T. McCue.Second Lieuten-
ant The officers were elected by unanimous
vote for each one. With similar unanimitythe
corps title of jackson Rifles" was adopted,
and two committees appointed: the first, Lieut..
Kinney TAYLOR Bissell, and Frank Yates to
inform Captain Tams of his election; and the
second of the commissioned officers to prepare
bylaws for the purposes such provisions are
necessary in military Company, which are
but few az good officers, and sterling rank
and file need but few written laws other than
army regulations for maintaining q high
spirit and the prompt discharge OF duty-the
essential qualification of the soldier. When
the company broke ranks it was to assemble
at the Skating Rink Monday night, the 9th
instant, at O'Clock, to complete the organiza-
ton. Colonel j. C. Shields appeared in the
meeting for reportorial duty, but he was or
dered to take the Chair, and Mr.. William T.
McCue. the young man referred to in the first
paragraph of this article, was Secretary.
During the few days occupied in enrolment
of members of the company, Mr.. McCue cor
responded with the officers at headquarters of
the State. He read the reply Of the Inspector
General Colonel Joe Lane Stern, which was
truly encouraging response. expressing the
great pleasure this movement had given Gov
ernor Lee, the Commander-in-chief,a and the
Staff Especially was it SO, because of the de-
sire to reform the (Valley) second Regiment,
which is now out of commission.
not informed of the character and superior
business qualifications of the officers of the
jackson Rifles" a title which 1t is only neces-
sary to mention to convey the full force OF the
thoughts which called it out for adoption as
well as the rank and file of the command,
then sketch of the personnel would bel order,
but in this instance that would be q work of
supererogation. But word or SO, the reporter
claims is due the corps as well as the COM
munity, for this movement is not spasmodic.
nor has it been commenced except to attain to
the high purposes which should always be first
and foremost in the mind of every man en-
rolled for duty. Captain Tams was graduate
of the Virginia Military Institute in the class
of 1873. In each graduating class there are as
many as five that can be noted as distinguish
ed He was one of them in 1873. After gradu-
ating, he was appointed Assistant Professor
and made Senior Captain in the corps which
gave him rank next to the Commandment, Col
onel Ship, whose duties he assumed whenever
that officer was not present.
Mr.. Tams as the Cashier of the Augusta
National Bank, and for several years leading
member of the City Council, and now Chair
man of the Finance Committee, and the origi-
nator of the successfully established, elective
light plant of Staunton. occupies place in the
front rank of our young business men, and the
distinction which he will win in directing. as
the Commandant of our youth engag ed for
military service, will not be less conspicuous
nor less honorable than the civil services
which he has rendered his native city.
The First Lieutenant, Mr.. William G. Kin
ney, is not without military experience and
training. having been for some time COM
missioned officer in the Staunton Artillery
He, too, is identified with the progressive busl-
ness interests of Staunton, and worthy of the
place to which his comrades have called LED, hin, him.
ness, with large social relations not only at
home but in other sections of the State. ener-
bis duties with the full knowledge Of their i'm
portance and the time necessary to bestow
upon them. He will early take rank that will
alike be honorable to himself and the corps.
Mr.. William T. McCue, who has done such
fine and successful work in the organization
of the jackson Rifles" is not without the re-
spect and the esteem OF his fellows in his
native city. Bis life In business pursuits has
been devoted to that of clerk and accountant.
energy and pluck, he will not let the grass
grow under his feet, as he keeps steady step to
serve his Company and promote the efficiency
Though young he now presides over the Odd
Fellows Lodge of the city. In that circle of
brotherhood and by the community he is held
in the highest esteem. Recently he was called
to the Office OF cashier of the Augusta Building
and Loan Company, and in the discharge OF
his duties there and in the office of the Inter-
State Life Association, MIR. McCue has SO won
the respect OF his seniors in years, that 1t
seemed the proper thing for his young assO-
ciates to confer this honor upon him especially
in view of his services in awakening the mill
tary spirit OF his city.
There is now nothing for the "Rifies" to do
but to go forward. Let their counsels and their
action be in the future as IL commenced
unanimity and brotherly feeling pervading the
ranks-and 1t will not be long before StauntOn
can boast of another and superior company of
citizen soldiers.